Island Dispatch, 1996-10-04

              Island DISPATCH  years HMk. MB——J.  "As the voice of Grand Island" ___ mr-m -. imm +—"Dry Cleaners & Shirt Laundry | 51.20/ Shirt j t mi nana mo*r* or \ 11 onrCLiixma L 1 2375 Grand Island Blvd. TOWN HAUL SQUARE Volmna Own«d S Oomrmtm T CALL 77KLEAN or 773-4114 650 (716) 773-7676 (716) 773-7676 October 4, 1996 20 Pages Rotary clubs exceed goal "Project Self-Reliance" aids Bolivian community The Grand Island Rotary Club, working with the Scottsdale North Rotary Club of Arizona, has surpassed the goal of raising $30,000 for a World Community Service Project in Bolivia, "Project Self Reliance." The project will be jointly administered by the local Potosi Rotary Club in Bolivia and Food for the Hungry, a world-wide non-government organization headquartered in Scottsdale, serving the poor in the Potosi, Bolivia area. The benefactors of the program are the children and the peasants of the high plains of Bolivia. The program is a two pronged attack against illiteracy and hunger. Of the money raised $5,000 will provide lavatory facilities in a school serving the shanty town children of Potosi, thus encouraging children to slay in school and improve their literacy. Renovation of the German Busch School also was part of the project. The remaining funds, exceeding $25,000, will be used to set-up and operate up to five Community Demonstration Centers in the rural area around Potosi. Funds will provide trainers to conduct classes attended by one hundred selected farmers. Working with seeds, hand tools, techniques, and fertilizers developed for the 14,000 foot high cold dry climate, they will improve their output by 100 percent a year. Small green houses built of sticks, stones and plastic, provide protection from freezing temperatures. The funds generated by this project as seed money results in about a 400 percent improvement over the next three seasons, providing extra cash to pay for future seeds and supplies. Life in Bolivia includes many hardships. Of the households located in the country, 75 percent live at subsistence levels or below. The average annual income is $650 — the lowest in South America. Migration to Potosi from the rural area caused by such conditions makes the depressed condition worse. HARVEST TIME IN BOLIVIA - Pictured above, natives of Potosi, Bolivia, participants in the World Community Service Project, are gathering carrots after a successful growing season. At right, families market the surplus of their crops. Acid spill hits Schwegler Dr. Twenty-four Grand Island firefighters assisted by 15 firefighters from Brighton Fire Co. from the Town of Tonawanda responded to a reported sulfuric acid spill at 49 Schwegler Dr. Sept. 29 at 7:48 p.m. A homeowner's clogged sewer created some excitement Sunday evening. Efforts by Jeffrey Bolwin of 49 Schwegler Dr. to clear the clogged drain resulted in a spill of sulfuric acid in the home. Under the direction of Deputy Chief Paul Gorman, firefighters worked for approximately two hours to neutralize and clean up the spill. No residents or firefighters were injured during the incident. Damage was limited to the contents of the building at a value of approximately $1000. Weather  Qsu Party sumy and coot. High around 50. Qftl Partly sunny Low 30's, High 50S. QtLS Mostly sunny Um4o,Htghnoar(iO Flu Vaccine  available Erie County Legislator Chuck Swanick and the Visiting Nurses Association of WNY will be providing flu vaccinations on the Island toady, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Senior Center on Whithavcn Rd. The cost is $8, or is covered by Medicare Part B. continue on Page 13